It’s a question of “why not” and not “why” to a growing clamor for the fielding of the daughter-and-father tandem of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and President Rodrigo Duterte in the 2022 presidential elections.
Deputy Speaker and 1Abono Partylist Rep. Conrado Estrella aired this opinion as he backed the Duterte-Duterte tandem in 2022 which presidential chief legal counsel floated during a dinner with top local government executives in vote-rich Pangasinan on Tuesday.
Another deputy speaker, Ilocos Sur Rep. Deogracias Victor Savellano, said he will not be surprised if Mayor Duterte and President Duterte win as president and vice president, respectively.
Estrella, a Pangasinense, pointed out that Mayor Duterte and her father have already proven themselves as sincere and worthy leaders of the country and are both “highly qualified” to run.
“Why not?,” said Estrella when asked to comment on Panelo’s statements during the dinner hosted by Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao.
“Both have experienced rigorous training as chief executives,” added Estrella.
During his meeting with Pangasinan mayors, Panelo stressed that there is “no legal impediment” that would prevent daughter-and-father to seek the country’s top posts.
On the other hand, Savellano said he expects Mayor Duterte to run the country the same way her father is doing.
“We’ve seen the performance of the father to lead so kung ano iyong puno, siya din ang bunga. (a tree will bear a fruit of its kind),” the House official said.
But based on President Duterte’s recent pronouncement, there is little chance the nation will see a “Duterte-Duterte” tandem in the national elections.
It will be recalled that two weeks ago, the President declared that Mayor Sara is not running for president, pointing out that he does not want her to to go through his own experience as president.
The younger Duterte has successfully dodged media questions about her political plans for 2022.
However, while leading the campaign for Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial bets in 2019, the Davao City mayor declared she will reveal her plans this month.